Week of July 6 - July 11, 2010

With the summer now in full swing we’ve got vacation on our minds. Don’t know where to go? How about a 3 hour plane trip to one of the hottest spots in the world?

Whether it’s a week away or just a weekend getaway, New Yorkers flock to Miami for the hot sun, its well-known beautiful beaches and trendy nightlife.

Recently, the team of the website www.Thrillist.com showed us how they took over the Fontainebleau Hotel to create Hotel Thrillist Miami 2010. The Thrillisters not only showed us how to tear it up Miami style, they left behind a blueprint with the key ingredients: where to stay, dine, play…and of course what to wear.
Let’s get set to party VIP style!

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STAY: Nothing is more VIP than the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach, www.fontainebleau.com. Located on Collins Avenue, this is the place to be and be seen. It's easy to relax on the beach or oceanfront pools. Fontainebleau’s new poolscape boasts “walls of water” intermingled with a free-form pool. Between the resorts' eleven restaurants and lounges, a 40,000-square-foot spa and the 1,504 guest rooms offer plenty of relaxation for everyone.

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FOOD: Foodies will enjoy the multitude of culinary options Miami has to offer. While at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach check out the trio of signature restaurants:

Gotham Steak – Alfred Portale, chef and owner of New York’s celebrated Gotham Bar and Grill, is at the helm of Gotham Steak. Portale’s menu expands beyond modern American steakhouse fare to include raw seafood towers, exotic meats and 1500+ wines from around the world.

Scarpetta – Scott Conant of Scarpetta in New York City opened a Miami Beach outpost. Known for coaxing the most sublime flavors out of the simplest ingredients, Conant has created a satisfying and soulful meal that encourages guests to pick up a piece of bread and clear their plates.

Hakkasan – Hakkasan at Fontainebleau, conceptualized by Alan Yau of London’s Michelin-rated Hakkasan, provides diners a diverse menu of modern Cantonese cuisine with a wide array of wines, sake and cocktails.

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DRINK & BE MERRY: Speaking of cocktails… for a festive summer drink, try the Bacardi Torched Cherry flavored rum mixed with Coca-Cola. This delicious cocktail creates a Cherry Coke flavor that packs a punch. For recipes explore the free Bacardi Flavors Cocktail Application for the iPhone and iPod Touch available at Apple iTunes.

One of the most popular recipes:
BACARDI TORCHED CHERRY Storm
1 part BACARDI TORCHED CHERRY Flavored Rum
1-1/2 parts pineapple juice
1-1/2 parts cranberry juice
Shake ingredients,pour over ice and garnish with pineapple wedge.

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NIGHTLIFE: Miami locals and visitors flock to the Fontainebleau for trendsetting, high-energy nightlife. LIV nightclub, a favorite for celebrities and those in the know in Miami, offers an eclectic mix of entertainment in a sleek, stylish environment.



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FASHION:

In Miami looking haute is what its all about! Your confidence is your best accessory… that and a hot bikini. For poolside looks that are fun and irreverent, check out swim styles by the House of Jackie Brown. The bold, retro-futuristic swimwear collection can be seen at www.houseofjackiebrown.com.

Another way to make a statement is with your eyewear. It's easy to do that with shades by Stunner of the Month, www.stunnerofthemonth.com. For $9 a month the subscription based program sends members a unisex, usually funky and unique, pair of stunnas. Holla!